The look on Shah Shahiran’s face in a photo posted by the national football body on its own socials should be plain to see.
Confidence is low.
If the Lions do not beat Hong Kong on 25 March, they might as well forget about the Asian Cup 2027.
Singapore’s journey to the tournament in Saudi Arabia begins with a must-win Group C opener against a Hong Kong side ranked five places above them.
Yet, after a toothless 1-0 defeat to Nepal on 21 March, confidence is at an all-time low.
Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura, feeling the heat already, has issued a desperate call to his players to treat each match like its their last.
Which we all also know is pure BS given that the talent pool is limited.
But anyway, if the Lions do not turn things around fast, this campaign might be over before it even gets started.
The Lions last participated at the Asian Cup in 1984, when they qualified automatically as hosts.
Since then, qualification campaigns have been a string of false dawns and forgettable performances.
Today’s (25 March) match isn’t just about three points; it’s about proving that Singapore football still has some fight left.
Hong Kong, by contrast, are a team on the rise.
They made it to the last Asian Cup in Qatar, their first in 55 years, and are hungry to make it two in a row, while the lions are still trying to shake off the embarrassment of losing to Nepal.
Midfielder Shah Shahiran insists that the team needs to “focus on ourselves” and “play to our abilities.”
That’s nice to hear, but words mean nothing if the Lions can’t deliver on the pitch.
If Singapore loses, the qualification dream is all but over.
Forget about Saudi Arabia 2027.
Forget about competing with Asia’s elite.
Another failed campaign will just confirm what Singapore fans have feared all along: that we are nowhere near good enough.
For the players and Ogura, this isn’t just another match.
This is the moment to prove that Singapore football still has a future.
MAIN PHOTO: FAS